South African prosecutors charged the international superstar with premeditated murder saying he fired into the door of a cubicle toilet where his girlfriend was cowering after a shouting match on Valentine's Day, hitting her three times said prosecutor Gerrie Nel said.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux disputed the murder charge, saying the facts surrounding the shooting in the early hours of Thursday were unclear.

The killing has shocked South Africans and many around the world who idolised Pistorius for overcoming adversity to become a sporting champion, competing in the London Olympics last year despite being a Paralympian.